[Intrepid Homoludens]

Think Jerry Lewis, but without the poetry.

[Huz]

Originally Posted by BacardiJim

The entire rationale behind Ted Turner's colorizing old movies was several studies which showed that when people of the prime 16-30 advertising demographic sat in front of a television, they would automatically flip past any channel that was showing something in black-and-white. This led to further studies in which it was discovered that those under 24 replied almost three-to-one that they "would not watch" black-and-white shows/movies on TV.

It's the truth, no matter how much sarcasm you want to express.

We know, I think, hence the sarcasm. We're just being elitist bastards as per usual.

However, I think there's a world of difference between people 'flipping past' black-and-white stuff on TV, and outright refusing to watch it - although I haven't seen the studies you mention. I can see why someone looking for something to watch would immediately discount a black-and-white image, for instance, but whether they'd refuse to watch it even if they knew it was 'good' (even The Phil Silvers Show, for instance) is another matter. Sadly it's the 'passing trade' that is most valuable to a TV channel supported by advertising, I suspect.

I'm just annoyed because UK Gold, the subscription channel for 'classic' British television (supposedly), more or less refuses to show anything at all in black and white for the same reason - even though that discounts most British television before 1970, and even though many long-running series started out in black-and-white.

[BacardiJim]

Marek: Adam sandler is a stand-up comedian turned sketch comic (Saturday Night Live) turned actor. His movies are developed specifically for him and are directed and produced by the same "team." Dennis Dugan and Frank Corad have each directed at least two of his films. The movies are pretty much interchangeable: Sandler is an idiot (who may also be involved in sports) who wins the girl in the end because his idiocy is so winning and charming.


Only Punch Drunk Love and, to a far lesser degree The Wedding Singer have stepped out of this lame one-joke formula.

[Curt]

Originally Posted by BacardiJim

Only Punch Drunk Love and, to a far lesser degree The Wedding Singer have stepped out of this lame one-joke formula.

Oh, was that him? I actually enjoyed The Wedding Singer

He's still generally crap though, I must agree.

[mag]

Originally Posted by Marek
Once actors are cast they have to accept whatever script they're given and try to work with it in the best way possible. But I don't see how there's something as an "Adam Sandler movie" if they're all from different directors? I mean, I know Punch Drunk Love as a Paul Thomas Anderson movie, not as an Adam Sandler movie (didn't even recognize his name).

Like Bicardi Jim said, most of these movies are made with Sandler specifically in mind because he's done that kind of stuff in the past. So most Sandler movies have a similar style. It's kind of a shame too because he seems to be a pretty decent actor. He just doesn't have any roles that I like. It's kind of the same way with Jim Carrey. Carrey is a brilliant actor. His work in The Truman Show and The Majestic was great. But he usually gets roles that are just stupid slapstick stuff. Fortunately, that looks like it's changing, and he's been taking on some better roles. Maybe something similar will happen with Sandler.

While I'm not a fan of Sandler, I did think Mr. Deeds was pretty funny. That's the one Sandler movie I thought was good (haven't seen Punch Drunk Love). I wouldn't say it's particularly deep or thought provoking or anything like that. But it was funny, and that's what it was made to be.

mag

[RemiO]

Originally Posted by Marek

But I don't see how there's something as an "Adam Sandler movie" if they're all from different directors? I mean, I know Punch Drunk Love as a Paul Thomas Anderson movie, not as an Adam Sandler movie (didn't even recognize his name).

Edit - I didn't read mag's message before posting. :~ My point still stands though. ;


If the movie is built around the actor, which it often is with Adam Sandler, they're usually known as "[insert actor here] movies". I don't know if it's right to call Punch Drunk Love an "Adam Sandler movie" as direction and writing was as important as the actor, but "Happy Gilmour" and "Big Daddy" certainly are "Adam Sandler movies", and I think he even produced and co-wrote most of them.

Additionally I watched Ebert & Roeper yesterday who both agreed that Sandler is a good actor, who picks some bad movies. They both gave Sandler's acting job in 50 First Dates a good review.

[Kingzjester]

Originally Posted by DustCropper

Anyone see the Grapes of Wrath? Good movie.

The movie is very thoroughly inferior to the book by the very virtue of the fact that it doesn't respect it at all. It turns the book into this absurd burlesque à la Beverly Hillbillies. Ford was a nazi, Steinbeck was a commie. It never could've worked out...

[Ninth]

Why would anyone want to make a film in black and white???
That's a rather peculiar concept... :eek:

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Left: Shadows and Fog, 1992, directed by Woody Allen.
Right: M, 1931, directed by Fritz Lang.

Because there was no technology available for color yet back then?

Because maybe, just maybe, b&w lends a certain atmosphere and nuance that colour film can never achieve today?

[Pappapisshu]

I only watch movies if they're in black and white.

[Ninth]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Because there was no technology available for color yet back then?

Oh, so that's why...
But why would anyone want to watch those old things when you can have as much brilliant entertainment on TV as you can possibly want?

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Because maybe, just maybe, some of us prefer the quality and atmosphere of the films from back then? I dunno about you, but D.W. Griffith's Intolerance and G.W.Pabst's Pandora's Box can still knock my socks off today.

[Ninth]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Because maybe, just maybe, some of us prefer the quality and atmosphere of the films from back then? I dunno about you, but D.W. Griffith's Intolerance and G.W.Pabst's Pandora's Box can still knock my socks off today.

Oh. But then again, you're old.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

That's right, and don't you forget it. Now, do you want your bib and diaper changed? You're beginning to smell funny. :eek:

[Ninth]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

That's right, and don't you forget it. Now, do you want your bib and diaper changed? You're beginning to smell funny. :eek:

I don't think my mommy would like you to touch me, you old pervert!

[redhotray]

Originally Posted by Ninth

Why would anyone want to make a film in black and white???
That's a rather peculiar concept... :eek:

Or in the case of Schindlers List, it added a nuance to the film that colour simply could not convey.

At first, I wondered what the hell Spielberg was thinking when he made the movie that way. Then I saw the film, and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Originally Posted by Ninth

I don't think my mommy would like you to touch me, you old pervert!

I'm not a pervert! I'm NOT! Waaaaaaaaaa!!!! [sucks his thumb and runs away]

Originally Posted by redhotray

Or in the case of Schindlers List, it added a nuance to the film that colour simply could not convey.

At first, I wondered what the hell Spielberg was thinking when he made the movie that way. Then I saw the film, and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

That's what I meant in my earlier post, there's a certain atmosphere b&w film can evoke that colour can never do. I haven't seen it yet, but weren't there some b&w sequences in Memento, too?

[Bastich]

Pi was a recent movie that was shot in B&W also...

[Erkki]

"Dead Man" (also black&white) is one of my favorite movies ever.

[mag]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens
I haven't seen it yet, but weren't there some b&w sequences in Memento, too?

Yes. It had black and white scenes with narration in between the regular color scenes. Very well done. You should be ashamed of yourself for not having seen it yet. Now quit passing out cookies, and go watch it.

mag